Skipping-rope.



Patented May 2|, |90l.

V, 0 .9 KEW, C0. Ann@`u mi um .In

.(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. BLACK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SKlPPlNG-ROP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,431, dated May 21,1901.

Application filed August 27, 1900. Serial No. 28,121. klNlo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. BLACK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,haveinvented a new and usefulImprovement in Skipping-Ropes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This inventionrelates to skipping-ropes.

One object of the invention is to provide a skippingrope which is ofsimple construction and arrangement wherein when not in use the rope orskipping part is coiled up and incased in compact condition.

A further object is to provide a construction and arrangement whereinthe rope or.

skipping partmay be adj ustably extended to any desired length.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination,location, and arrangement, all as will be more fully hereinafter setforth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out inthe appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views andreference-signs appearing thereon, Figure lis a View in centrallongitudinal section of a construction embodying the principles of myinvention, showing the several parts in assembled relation, with theskipping-rope inclosed within its containing casing. Fig. 2 is asectional view on the line 2 2, Fig. l, looking 'in the direction of thearrows and showing the reelratchet in engagement with the tooth on thecasing. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the reel-ratchetdisengaged from the tooth on the casing. Fig. Il is a face or side viewshowing the reel-operating spring and manner of connecting the same.Fig. 5 is a sectional detail View of the interior of the handle orcoiling-chamber oi' the casing, showing the tooth or detent. Fig. 6 is adetached detail view in perspective of the reel.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever itoccurs.

In the drawings, reference-sign A designates an open-ended tube, vwhichwhen the parts arev assembled as shown in Fig. 1 constitutes a portionof the inclosing casing. Arranged within tube A is a second tube B ofsomewhat shorter length, as clearly shown, and of an external diameteradapting it to be inserted longitudinally into tube A and to be heldtherein by frictional contact with the inner surface of said tube A.

Referencesign C, Fig. l, designates the handles of the skipping-rope,which are in the form of hollow casings and, if desired, may be of anysuitable or convenient shape. In the particular form shown these handlesare of spherical shape and are composed of the sections D E, each ofwhich is hollow and of semispherical shape, said sections being suitablyformed on their meeting edges to be assembled and held together to forma complete inclosure. Each section D E has formed therewith or isotherwise suitably provided with an extension F, which when saidsections are assembled cooperate together to form a short tubularextension, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and these tubular extensions areof such external diameter as to be snugly received in the open ends ofthe tubes A and B, respectively. Thus the extension of the one handle isreceived in the end of tube A and the extension of the other handle isreceivedin the opposite end of tube B, as clearly shown. By thisconstruction it will be seen that by grasping the handles C and exertinga pull thereon in a direction to separate the same the tube B willremain attached to the extension of one of the handles and will bewithdrawn from tube A, While said tube A will remain attached to theextension of the other handle, thus affording ample and convenienthand-grips in the manipulation of the skipping-rope, and by telescopingthe tube B into tube A or the tube A upon tube B the parts are againassembled in compact form.

In each handle or casing' C is mounted a reel to which are secured therespective ends of the skipping-rope G, and in carrying out my inventionI provide each reel with'an operating-spring Linder the power or inIiuence of which the skipping-rope is normally wound up or coiled uponsaid reels, and in connection with each reel and operating spring Iprovide a detachable detent or ratchet mechanism by which the reel maybe held at any desired unwound position against the normal tendency ofthe operating-spring to wind or turn and maintain the reel in the IOOVopposite direction.

Many specifically different constructions for effecting these resultsmay be employed. While, therefore, I have shown and will now describeone construction which I have found simple and efficient for thepurpose, I do not desire to be Vlimited or restricted thereto. As theconstruction and arrangement in each handle is identical, thedescription of one Will suffice for both.

Suitably secured to or connected with one of the sections D E of thehandle C is a shaft or rod H. This in the form shown comprises a tubularrod which is secured at one end toa lug J, formed on or carried bysection D of the handle. The opposite end of rod H is received in asocket formed in a shouldered plug or button K, the reduced head ofwhich projects through au opening L in the section E when said sectionsD E are assembled. The shoulder on plug or button K is arranged Withinthe interior of the handle-section, and, engaging the inner periphery ofsuch section, limits the extent of projection of the reduced head of theplug or button through the opening L, While permitting said plug orbutton to be moved or depressed into or toward the interior of thehandle. The reelM is mounted or journaled to freely rotate upon rod Handl is provided at the opposite ends thereof with the flanges N O. Oneend of the skippingrope G is secured to this reel, the opposite end ofsuch rope being similarly secured to the reel in the other handle. Theend flange N is formed into achamber adapted to receive a thin ilatcoiled spring P, one end of which is secured to the chamber or flange Nof the reel and the other to the rod H. Thus the tension of this springis constantly exerted to maintain the reel in one limit of its rotativemovement, while permitting such reel to be rotated in the oppositedirection. New the end of the skipping-rope G is secured to the reelwhen the latter is rotated to its fullest extent in a direction to windup the springs, so that when released the spring willunwind and causethe skipping-rope to be Wound up or coiled upon the reel. A rim orprojection of flange O of the reel is suitably provided with notches orratchets (indicated at Q) adapted to be engaged by a detent or tooth R,formed on or secured to the inner periphery of section E of the handle.

' The detent or tooth Ris provided with a beveled edge, as shown at S,Fig 5, whereby the ratchet-teeth are permitted tot'reely pass or slideby said detent or tooth when the reel is revel-ved in a direction tocause the skippingrope to be unwound therefrom; but the reverse rotationof the reel under the influence of the operating-spring P is prevented.The reel M is mounted to slide or move longitudinally upon rod H, asWell as to rotate thereon, and a spring T serves to keep the reelpressed in the limit of' its longitudinal movement in a direction tomaintain operative relation or engagement of the ratchets Q and tooth ordetent R and also to keep the reduced head of plug or button K projectedto its fullest extent through opening L. From this construction -it Willbe readily seen that when it is desired to coil or Wind theskipping-rope upon the reel the plug or button K is depressed toward theinterior of the han- `dle, thereby shifting the reel longitudinally andagainst the action of spring T and hence effecting a disengagement ofthe ratchet from the detent or tooth and permitting the spring P toeffect the rotation of the reel in a direction to wind up the rope.

In practice I prefer to employ a chain for the skipping-rope by reasonof the facility with which a chain may be coiled or Wound upon andunwound from the reel; but it is obvious that any other suitable orconvenient cord or rope may be employed. It is also obvious that onlyone handle may be provided with a reel, the other end of theskipping-rope being merely fastened Within the other handle; but Iprefer to employ a reel in each handle, as thereby the size of thehandles may be minimized.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from theforegoing description. Taking the device in its assembled relation, asshown in Fig. l, if it is desired to use the skipping-rope the handlesare pulled apart in the manner above described and the rope is uncoiledfrom the reels by the continued pull thereon, the inclined side S of thetooth R permitting the ratchets Q to ride thereover, but preventingreverse rotation of the reels. The uncoiling of the rope and the con-`sequent rotation of the reels causes the springs Plto coil up under atension tending vto restore or reversely rotate the reels in a directionto coil the rope thereon. Vhen a sucient length of the rope is thusuncoiled, the article is ready foruse, and the rope will be held in thelength to which it has been .uncoiled. If a greater length is required,further pull on the rope will continue the uncoiling thereof until thedesired length is attained. If it is desired to shorten the rope, thebutton or plug K is depressed to effect a disengagement of the tooth Rand ratchet Q, and thereupon the springs P will cause a reverse rotationof the reels and in a direction to coil the rope thereon, the plug orbutton being maintained depressed until the desired length of rope isattained. When it is desired to restore the apparatus to its compact andinclosed condition, the plugs or buttons are depressed until the rope issufficiently coiled upon the reels, and then the tubes A and byinclosing the chain and forming a neat compact deviceconvenient forhandling, packing, or shipping.

It is obvious that many variations and changes in the details ofconstruction and arrangement would readily suggest themselves to personsskilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of myinvention.

While, therefore, I have shown and described are telescoped upon or intoeach other, there- IOO IIO

a construction which operatively embodies the principles of myinvention, I do not desire to be limited or restricted thereto; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof and having described suchconstruction, its purpose, function, and mode of operation, what I claimas new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

l. A skipping-rope including hollow handles adapted to receive the rope(when not in use) therein and inclose the same, as and for the purposeset forth.

2. Inaskipping-rope,detachablyconnected handles adapted, when the ropeis not in use, to receive the same therein, as and for the purpose setforth.

3. The combination with hollow handles, of a skipping-rope, and meansfor coiling said rope within said handles, as and for the purpose setforth.

4. The combination with hollow handles, a reel arranged in one of saidhandles, and a skipping-rope having the end thereof connected t-o saidreel, whereby said reel may be coiled upon or uncoiled from said reel,as and for t-he purpose set forth.

5. The combination with handles,'aV reel carried by one of said handles,a spring arranged to maintain said reel in one limit of its rotativemovement, and a skipping-rope connected at one end to said reel, as andfor the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with handles, a reel carried by one of said handles,a spring arranged to maintain said reel in one limit of its rotativemovement, a ratchet mechanism for permitting said reel to rotate in onedirection but preventing reverse rotation thereof, and a skipping-ropeconnected at one end to said reel, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with handles, a reel carried by one of said handles,a spring arranged to maintain said reel in one limit of its rotativemovement, a ratchet mechanism for permitting said reel to rotate in onedirection but preventing reverse rotation thereof, means for disengagingsaid ratchet mechanism, and a skipping-rope having one of its endsconnected to said reel, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In askipping-rope, the combination with handles having extensions, oftubes adapted to be telescoped into each other, said extensions beingreceived in opposite ends of said tubes, respectively, as and for thepurpose set forth.

9. In a skipping-rope, the combination of hollow handles, each providedwith an extension, a tube, into one end of which the extension of one ofsaid handles is received, a second tube, into one end of which theextension of the other handle is received, said tubes adapted to betelescopically assembled, and a skipping-rope connected to said handles,as and for the purpose set forth.

lO. In a skipping-rope, the combination of hollow handles, a reelmounted in each handle, a rope connected at the ends to said reels, andmeans normally tending to coil said rope upon said reels, as and for thepurpose set forth.

1l. In a skipping-rope, the combination with handles, each madeinseparable sections, and provided with extensions, andtelescopically-joined tubes, each adapted to receive a handle extension,whereby said parts are held in assembled relation, as and for thepurpose set forth.

l2. In a skippingrope, a hollow handle having a projection and anopening in diametrical alinement, a rod secured at one end to saidprojection,a button projecting through said opening and adapted toreceive the other end of said rod, a reel journaled upon said rod forrotary and for longitudinal movement, a spring arranged to press saidreel in one limit of its longitudinal movement, a spring arranged tomaintain said reel in one limit of its rotary movement, and askippingrope having one end thereof connected to said reel, as and forthe purpose set forth.

13. In a skipping-rope, a hollow handle, a reel mounted for rotary andlongitudinal V movement therein,means for yieldingly maintaining saidreel in one limit of said movements, a ratchet mechanism and askippingrope having its end connected to said reel, as and for thepurpose set forth.

14. In a skipping-rope, a hollow handle made in sections, a rodconnected to one of said sections, a reel mounted on said rod for rotaryand longitudinal movement, means for yieldingly opposing said movementsin one direction, a ratchet connected to said reel, a tooth carried byone section of said handle and coperating with said ratchet, a buttonarranged to shift said reel longitudinally to disengage said ratchet andtooth, and a skipping-rope having one end thereof connected to saidreel, as and for the purpose set forth. Y

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 23d day of August,A. D. 1900, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM C. BLACK.

Vtitnesses:

E. C. SEMPLE, S. E. DARBY.

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